Cave Spring RV Park Moves Forward in Unusual Vote

The Rome-Floyd Planning Commission recommended approval of a new RV campground at 125 Davis Road in Cave Spring in an unusual fashion Thursday, via a failed vote to deny the request.

A motion to recommend denial of a special use permit received only three yes votes. Four members voted against the denial which, according to County Attorney Chris Jackson, means the request is automatically recommended for approval.

The application now goes to the Floyd County Commission, which had rejected it in April but said it could be resubmitted if adjustments were made to address some concerns.

Since then, developer Anthony Carver reduced the number of campsites and indicated he would help fund the upgrade of Davis Road. He also agreed to give up the property’s SUP for outdoor concerts and other events if his SUP for a campground is approved.

The current site plan includes an office, bathhouse and recreational area.

Planning staff noted they had concerns about a possible septic system due to soil quality.

“It is similar to developing a subdivision as far as our regulations are concerned,” reads a planning staff note on the application. “The Cave Spring area often has poor soils and water table issues that are quite challenging for septic system suitability.”

However, during the meeting, Carver said that soil tests have been done and the soil is ideal for a septic system. He said they would build a state-of-the-art system to prevent any sewage from escaping into the ecosystem even if the site is flooded.

Flooding was the major concern expressed by neighbors Thursday. They said the entire site is a flood plain, so a heavy rain could pose a potential hazard to RV residents and also pollute the creek.

“Only the good lord knows what kind of rainfall is going to come your way; if you get six inches of rain in an hour everything floods,” Carver said. “We want to make a destination where people can come and enjoy the creek.”

Neighbors had earlier expressed concerns regarding potential crime stemming from long-term residents at the site. Carver said Thursday he would be running a first-rate facility and would not allow the type of behavior seen at other encampments.

The planning commission also recommended approval of the following applications:

♦ Rezoning of a property at 3128 Cave Spring Road from Suburban Residential to Community Commercial with a Special Use Permit for temporary vehicle storage.

♦ Rezoning of a property at 4859 Alabama Highway from Office Institutional to Suburban Residential with a Special Use Permit to construct a solar farm.

♦ Rezoning of the property at 3243 Wax Road from Community Commercial to Agricultural Residential so potential buyers could get a mortgage.

♦ Rezoning of 3 and 7 Westlyn Drive from Community Commercial to Suburban Residential.

♦ A Special Use Permit for property at 312 E. 15th St. to allow duplexes.

♦ Annexation of 122 Morgan Drive so residents can access garbage service and their children can attend Rome City Schools.

♦ Rezoning of the property at 209 Redmond Road from Neighborhood Office Commercial to Duplex Residential.

The planning commission makes recommendations to the Rome City and Floyd County commissions, which will take up the requests at their meetings in the fourth week of July.